TIMSS 2015 School Report - The Central School, DubaiThe students’ sample selection process...
Transcript of TIMSS 2015 School Report - The Central School, DubaiThe students’ sample selection process...
TIMSS 2015 School Report
The Central School
© 2017 Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Dubai, UAE. All rights reserved.
Knowledge and Human Development Authority
P. O. Box: 500008, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 364 0000 Fax: +971 4 364 0001
www.khda.gov.ae
2015 2019
TIMSS 2015 School Report 2 of 24
What is TIMSS? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4
UAE VISION 2021: First Rate Education ……………………………………………………………………………………….5
Education Indicators & Targets …………………………………………………………………………………………………..5
Your TIMSS National Agenda Targets ……………………………………………………………………………………….6
Summary……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….7
Selecting students at your school ………………………………………………………………………………………………7
How well did your students achieve compared to their peers in Dubai?…………………………………8
Performance of students in different curriculum offered in Dubai ……………………………………………………………………………………………….8
How well did your students achieve against TIMSS International Benchmarks?...........................9
Change over time …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….10
How does achievement at your school vary by gender?……………………………………………………………10
Achievement in the Content and Cognitive Domains…………………………………………………………………11
Mathematics Content Domains ………………………………………………………………………………………………..11
Mathematics Cognitive Domains ………………………………………………………………………………………………11
Science Content Domains ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….12
Science Cognitive Domains ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….12
Grade 4- Mathematics ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………13
Grade 4- Science ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….14
Grade 8- Mathematics ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………15
Grade 8- Science ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….16
The performance of Emirati students in your school ……………………………………………………………………17
Appendix …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..18
Descriptions of the International Benchmarks ……………………………………………………………………………………18
For more information about Dubai’s participation in TIMSS 2015, please check: ………………….22
How to contact us: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………22
How well did your students achieve in each of the Content and Cognitive Domains?
13
Table of Contents
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What is TIMSS?
TIMSS (Trends in International Mathemactics and Science Study) is an international assessment that has been conducted in over 50 countries every four years since 1995, under the auspices of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). Dubai participated, as part of the UAE, for the first time in 2007. TIMSS measures the achievement of students in Grade 4 and 8 in mathematics and science. Through this, TIMSS collects extensive, comparative background data about the standards of learning and teaching in these subjects, across primary and lower secondary school, in each of the participating countries.
In 2015, in Dubai, more than 15,000 students, from both Grades 4 and 8 participated in TIMSS. The average student score was above the international mean for the first time. Schools in Dubai are highly diverse in terms of the curriculum, with more than ten different, international curricula in operation. Considerable variation was found in student achievement across schools offering different curricula.
This report summarises the performance of students in your school, who sat for the TIMSS 2015 assessments. The overall results from TIMSS provide very useful information for school leaders. The achievement of students, in key areas of learning, is central to the annual inspection process in Dubai. Leaders can use the school level reports to study strengths and weaknesses in the achievement of their students in mathematics and science. They are also able to compare the achievement of students in their own school with international benchmarks. Additionally, leaders can compare the achievement of their own students with that of students in other schools in Dubai and more specifically, other schools in Dubai following a similar curriculum. TIMSS is administered in the language of instruction of your school.
This detailed assessment helps school leaders and teachers to better align the content of lessons and the broader curriculum to the identified needs of students in the school. Inspectors will have the school level information prior to each inspection and will evaluate the success of school leaders in using the data provided to match the curriculum and class activities to the learning needs of students in the school. The inspectors’ judgements about students’ attainment and progress, assessment, leadership and self-evaluation will be informed by each school’s effective usage of TIMSS data.
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UAE VISION 2021: First Rate Education
Education Indicators & Targets
1 Average TIMSS Score Among the top 15 countries
2 Average PISA Score Among the top 20 countries
3 Upper Secondary Graduation Rate 98%
4 Enrollment Rate in Preschools (public and private) 95%
5 % of Students with High Skills in Arabic 90%
6 % of Schools with High Quality Teachers 100%
7 % of Schools with Highly Effective School Leadership 100%
8 Enrollment Rate in Foundation Year 0%
TARGET
The UAE Vision 2021 was launched by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai in 2014 .Its pillars have been mapped into six national priorities which represent the key focus sectors of government action in the subsequent years. One of these six priorities is related to education and is called "Firs Rate Education". Below are the indicators and targets that all education stake holders must achieve altogether.
There are eight education related indicators and targets, two of which are related to international assessments.This report focuses on TIMSS
Index INDICATOR
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Your TIMSS National Agenda Targets
In order to work towards achieving TIMSS targets in the UAE National Agenda, and based upon the TIMSS results for each school in 2011, KHDA set individual targets for all private schools in Dubai. The table below shows your school’s performance in 2015 TIMSS against KHDA set targets.
2015 Performance against set targets Grade 4 Grade 8
Mathematics Science Mathematics Science
Using TIMSS 2015 results, every school now receives a new target for moving to the next achievement level in TIMSS, in 2019. Four targets, for each of the domains in TIMSS, are described in the table below, according to the different achievement levels in TIMSS. Although, the individual targets are ambitious, the detailed information presented in this report should provide school leaders with a full understanding of their students’ performances in TIMSS. Therefore, it is important that school leaders use all the data presented in the different sections of this report to strategically plan for the meeting of these targets.
Your TIMSS 2015 Target Scoresbased on 2011 results
444 420 457 466
561540 565 587Actual TIMSS 2015 Scores
Your School New 2019 targets
Future TIMSS 2019 Target Scores
Inspectors evaluate:- The quality of data analysis received from N.A.P and use of it to impact on education.- The extent to which schools have modified their curriculum to address shortfalls, and how teaching methods have been adapted to engage students in aspects of their learning that are in need of improvement; (e.g. critical thinking or problem solving).- The validity of each school’s assessment methods so that progress towards targets can be accurately and reliably measured. - The progress students are making towards targets in mathematics, reading and science - the differences in the progress of girls and boys and between Emirati and expatriate students.
Grade 4 Grade 8
Mathematics Science Mathematics Science
560 575 571 597
KHDA continues to monitor each school’s performance against their National Agenda targets through annual school inspections. In 2015, KHDA launched the National Agenda Parameter (N.A.P), which is a method for measuring and monitoring schools’ progress towards achieving their individual National Agenda targets, through the use of external benchmark tests.
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160
Selecting students at your school
Grade/Sub Math
Grade 4 540Grade 8 561Grade/Sub ScienceGrade 4 565Grade 8 587
Advanced International Benchmark
High International Benchmark
Intermediate International Benchmark
Low International Benchmarking
Below Low International Benchmarking
The students’ sample selection process occurred through two phases to assure the representation of the schools sample and the accuracy of the data. Students were sampled using an advanced statistical technique to ensure representative sampling in each of the relevant curricula. The sampling was overseen by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) to maintain strict adherence. The basic design for the TIMSS sample is referred to as a two-stage stratified cluster sample design. The first stage consisted of establishing a sample of schools.The second stage consisted of classes (mathematics or science) selected at random from the target grade levels (4 or 8) in the sampled schools. The students in the selected classes were representative of the students in the population and weightings were used to adjust for any differences arising from intended features of the design (e.g. to over-sample minorities) or non-participation by students who were selected. In this way, measures of achievement could be provided for the population, based on the responses of a sample of students, along with the confidence interval to indicate the precision of those measures.
Intermediate International BenchmarkHigh International Benchmark
High International Benchmark
Benchmark
Benchmark
High International Benchmark
School Selector
The Central School
Summary
School Profile:
School TypeSchool CurriculumLocationNumber of Students Assessed in Grade 4Number of Students Assessed in Grade 8
Overall Performance
PrivateIndianDubai
5154
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Math Science Math Science
521 530 524 538
540 565 561 587
553 558 554 568
534 555 533 556
528 531 547 550
467 498 479 486
449 441 478 488
**NA : Not Applicable
Significantly higher than
TIMSS center-
point
All Private Schools Participating in Dubai
Ave
rage S
core
Your School
Ave
rage S
core
Significantly Higher than TIMSS center-
point
Significantly Higher than TIMSS center-
point
Significantly Higher than TIMSS center-
point
Significantly Higher than
TIMSS center-point
Performance of students in different curricula offered in Dubai
CurriculumGrade 4
MathGrade 4Science
Grade 8Math
Grade 8Grade 4Compared To
Significantly higher than
TIMSS center-
point
Significantly higher than
TIMSS center-
point
Significantly higher than
TIMSS center-
point
How well did your students achieve compared to their peers in Dubai?
Private - US
Private - MoE
Grade 4Science
Private - UK
Private - Indian
Private - IB
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Advanced International BenchmarkHigh International BenchmarkIntermediate International BenchmarkLow International BenchmarkBelow Low International Benchmark
Grade8 - Science 23 55 21 1Grade8 - Math 6 58 31 4Grade4 - Science 20 40 32 6 2Grade4 - Math 6 42 38 13 2
* Please refer to the Appendix for full descriptions of the international benchmarks
550500
TIMSS International Benchmarks
This chart shows the distribution of your students across each of the International Benchmark Levels. The chart indicates the percentage of students who have reached achievement levels at every benchmark.
Intermediate International Benchmark
Benchmark threshold625Advanced International Benchmark
Low International Benchmark
Benchmark Level
High International BenchmarkCentre-point (average scale)
*The total values might not add up to 100% due to rounding
How well did your students achieve against TIMSS International Benchmarks?
475400
23
6
20
6
55
58
40
42
21
31
32
38
1
4
6
13
2
2
20 40 60 80 100
Grade8 - Science
Grade8 - Math
Grade4 - Science
Grade4 - Math
Percentage of your students against TIMSS
benchmarks
Advanced International Benchmark High International Benchmark
Intermediate International Benchmark Low International Benchmark
Below Low International Benchmark
TIMSS 2015 School Report 9 of 24
Grade 4Math
Grade 4Science
Grade 8Math
Grade 8Science
2011 409 380 432 4412015 540 565 561 587
How does achievement at your school vary by gender?
Female MaleNa 540Na 565549 574567 609
Change Over TimeThe chart below compares your students’ scores in the last two cycles of TIMSS
This bar chart indicates the performance of female and male in your school
Male students
Number of students in Grade 4
Grade 8 Science
Grade 4 MathGrade 4 ScienceGrade 8 Math
Number of students in Grade 8
Na
Gender Female students
29
51
25
409 380432 441
540 565 561 587
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
Grade 4
Math
Grade 4
Science
Grade 8
Math
Grade 8
Science
TIMSS Scores 2011 compared to 2015
2011 2015
0 0
549 567540
565 574609
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
Grade 4 Math Grade 4 Science Grade 8 Math Grade 8 Science
Achievement by Gender
Female Male
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Mathematics Content Domains
Grade 4 Target % Grade 8 Target %
Data Display
15% Geometry 20%
Data and Chance
20%
Mathematics Cognitive Domains
KnowingApplying
35%40%40%25%20%
Number
Topic areas
Achievement in the Content and Cognitive Domains
40%
TIMSS student achievement results can be broken down into achievement by either content or cognitivedomains. The content domains are three subject matter domains while cognitive domains are sets of skillsrequired across different content domains in TIMSS. The content and the cognitive domains are accordinglydesigned and distributed as follows:
30%Number
• Whole numbers• Fractions and decimals• Number sentences with whole numbers• Patterns and relationships
• Points, lines and angles• Two-and three-dimensional shapes
35% Algebra 30%Geometric Shapes and Measures
Reasoning
Domains Grade 8Grade 4
Topic areas
• Whole numbers• Fractions and decimals• Integers• Ratio, proportion and percent
• Patterns• Algebraic expressions• Equations/formulas and functions
• Geometric shapes• Geometric measurement• Location and movement
Data organisation and representation
Data interpretation
Chance
• Reading and interpreting• Organizing and representing
50%
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Science Content Domains
Grade 4 Target % Grade 8 Target %
Science Cognitive Domains
35%
25%
Topic areas• Characteristics classification, and life processes of organisms• Cells and their functions• Life cycles, reproduction, and heredity• Diversity, adaptation, and natural selection • Ecosystems• Human Health
• Classification and composition of matter• Properties of matter• Chemical Change
• Physical states and changes in matter• Energy transformations, heat, and temperature• Light and sound• Electricity and magnetism • Forces and motion
• Characteristics and life process of living things• Interaction with the environment• Ecosystems• Human health
45% Biology
• Earth’s Structure, physical characteristics and resources• Earth’s processes, cycles, and history• Earth in the solar system
Topic areas
Life Science
Applying 40%
Earth Science
• Classification and properties of matter• Forces and motion• Sources and effects of energy
35% Chemistry
20%
20%
Earth Science
Physical Science
• Earth’s structure and physical features• Earth’s processes, cycles, and history• Earth’s resources, their use and conservation• Earth in the solar system and the universe
35%Reasoning 20% 30%
Domains Grade 4 Grade 8Knowing 40% 35%
20% Physics
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Grade 4 - Mathematics
Content DomainAdvanced International BenchmarkHigh International BenchmarkIntermediate International BenchmarkLow International BenchmarkBelow Low International Benchmark
Data Display 12 29 35 20 4Geometric Shapes 10 37 33 16 4Number 9 37 35 16 3
Cognative DomainAdvanced International BenchmarkHigh International BenchmarkIntermediate International BenchmarkLow International BenchmarkBelow Low International Benchmark
Reasoning 9 33 39 16 3Applying 10 35 35 18 2Knowing 13 33 33 18 3
How well did your students achieve in each of the Content and Cognitive Domains?
NumberGeometric
Shapes
537
524
Content Domain Cognitive DomainTIMSS
Grade 4
Average score of your students
Data Display Knowing
Overall average of Dubai private schools
512 527 525 520
*The total values might not add up to 100% due to rounding
*The total values might not add up to 100% due to rounding
530
517
533 539
ReasoningApplying
539 536
12
10
9
29
37
37
35
33
35
20
16
16
4
4
3
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Data Display
Geometric Shapes
Number
Percentage of your students in the content domains
against TIMSS benchmarks
Advanced International Benchmark High International Benchmark
Intermediate International Benchmark Low International Benchmark
Below Low International Benchmark
9
10
13
33
35
33
39
35
33
16
18
18
3
2
3
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Reasoning
Applying
Knowing
Percentage of your students in the cognitive domains
against TIMSS benchmarks
Advanced International Benchmark High International Benchmark
Intermediate International Benchmark Low International Benchmark
Below Low International Benchmark
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Grade 4 - Science
ContentAdvanced International BenchmarkHigh International BenchmarkIntermediate International BenchmarkLow International BenchmarkBelow Low International Benchmark
Earth Science 17 39 31 11 2Physical Science 31 38 21 7 3Life Science 22 30 35 9 4
Cognative Domain
Advanced International BenchmarkHigh International BenchmarkIntermediate International BenchmarkLow International BenchmarkBelow Low International Benchmark
Reasoning 9 39 36 12 4Applying 18 42 29 9 2Knowing 30 42 21 5 3
How well did your students achieve in each of the Content and Cognitive Domains?
Physical Science
Earth Science
Knowing Applying
523
Content Domain
Overall average of Dubai private schools
Reasoning
541
531 532 522 535 529
559 583 557
Grade 4
TIMSS
585 559Average score of your students
*The total values might not add up to 100% due to rounding
*The total values might not add up to 100% due to rounding
Cognitive Domain
Life Science
17
31
22
39
38
30
31
21
35
11
7
9
2
3
4
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Earth Science
Physical Science
Life Science
Percentage of your students in the content domains
against TIMSS benchmarks
Advanced International Benchmark High International Benchmark
Intermediate International Benchmark Low International Benchmark
Below Low International Benchmark
9
18
30
39
42
42
36
29
21
12
9
5
4
2
3
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Reasoning
Applying
Knowing
Percentage of your students in the cognitive domains
against TIMSS benchmarks
Advanced International Benchmark High International Benchmark
Intermediate International Benchmark Low International Benchmark
Below Low International Benchmark
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Grade 8 - Mathematics
ContentAdvanced International BenchmarkHigh International BenchmarkIntermediate International BenchmarkLow International BenchmarkBelow Low International Benchmark
Data and Chance 4 33 48 12 3Geometry 11 41 34 13Algebra 21 60 17 1Number 4 41 45 9 1
Cognative Domain
Advanced International BenchmarkHigh International BenchmarkIntermediate International BenchmarkLow International BenchmarkBelow Low International Benchmark
Reasoning 5 51 37 7Applying 5 48 38 8 1Knowing 11 56 27 6
565 548591 555
Algebra GeometryData and Chance
518
531Average score of your
students 542
*The total values might not add up to 100% due to rounding
*The total values might not add up to 100% due to rounding
541 509
TIMSS
Grade 8 Number
517 533
Knowing Applying
Content Domain Cognitive Domain
Reasoning
Overall average of Dubai private schools
521
551
522
How well did your students achieve in each of the Content and Cognitive Domains?
4
11
21
4
33
41
60
41
48
34
17
45
12
13
1
9
3
1
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Data and Chance
Geometry
Algebra
Number
Percentage of your students in the content domains
against TIMSS benchmarks
Advanced International Benchmark High International Benchmark
Intermediate International Benchmark Low International Benchmark
Below Low International Benchmark
5
5
11
51
48
56
37
38
27
7
8
6
1
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Reasoning
Applying
Knowing
Percentage of your students in the cognitive domains
against TIMSS benchmarks
Advanced International Benchmark High International Benchmark
Intermediate International Benchmark Low International Benchmark
Below Low International Benchmark
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Grade 8 - Science
ContentAdvanced International BenchmarkHigh International BenchmarkIntermediate International BenchmarkLow International BenchmarkBelow Low International Benchmark
Earth Science 20 42 33 5Physics 32 43 23 3Chemistry 37 44 18 2Biology 29 44 25 2
Advanced International BenchmarkHigh International BenchmarkIntermediate International BenchmarkLow International BenchmarkBelow Low International Benchmark
Reasoning 17 42 35 5Applying 26 48 22 4Knowing 38 41 18 3
Overall average of Dubai private schools
538 541
574
How well did your students achieve in each of the Content and Cognitive Domains?
604604 604596
BiologyGrade 8
Cognitive DomainContent DomainTIMSS
Physics ReasoningApplyingKnowingEarth
Science
539 530 540 538
Chemistry
533
Average score of your students
588 606
*The total values might not add up to 100% due to rounding
*The total values might not add up to 100% due to rounding
20
32
37
29
42
43
44
44
33
23
18
25
5
3
2
2
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Earth Science
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Percentage of your students in the content domains
against TIMSS benchmarks
Advanced International Benchmark High International Benchmark
Intermediate International Benchmark Low International Benchmark
Below Low International Benchmark
17
26
38
42
48
41
35
22
18
5
4
3
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Reasoning
Applying
Knowing
Percentage of your students in the cognitive domains
against TIMSS benchmarks
Advanced International Benchmark High International Benchmark
Intermediate International Benchmark Low International Benchmark
Below Low International Benchmark
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The performance of Emirati students in your school
Grade 4
Grade 8
2019 TIMSS Dubai Target Scores for Emirati Students
489 484
2019 TIMSS Dubai Target Scores for Emirati Students
488 492
*** Note : there is no comparison of Emirati students against Expatriate student if less than 5 Emirati students for comparision in sample tested because of data restriction
Expatriates students in your school
Overall Score in Mathematics
Overall Score in Science
Nationality Overall Score in Mathematics
Overall Score in Science
Emirati students in private Schools
459 454
Emirati students in private Schools
458 462
Nationality
Emirati students in your school
Emirati students in your school
Expatriates students in your school
The standards of achievement of Emirati students is a very high priority for KHDA. The table below outlines the difference in achievement between Emiratis and expatriate students in your school.
As KHDA continues to prioritise improving the knowledge acquisition and skills development of Emirati students, it is important for schools to work towards improving the overall academic performance of this cohort by identifying ways to improve their levels of achievement in all domains.
Through strategic evaluation and planning and subsequent adaptations to the curriculum and pedagogy, schools must make provision to ensure that Emirati and expatriate students alike go on to make the highest levels of progress in mathematics, science and reading.
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Appendix
Descriptions of the International Benchmarks
Grade 4 - Mathematics
Advanced International Benchmark- 625
Students can apply their understanding and knowledge in a variety of relatively complex situations and explain their reasoning. They can solve a variety of multi-step word problems involving whole numbers including proportions. Students at this level show an increasing understanding of fractions and decimals. Students can apply geometric knowledge of a range of two- and three-dimensional shapes in a variety of situations. They can draw a conclusion from data in a table and justify their conclusion.
High International Benchmark- 550
Students can apply their knowledge and understanding to solve problems. Students can solve word problems involving operations with whole numbers. They can use division in a variety of problem situations. They can use their understanding of place value to solve problems. Students can extend patterns to find a later specified term. Students demonstrate understanding of line symmetry and geometric properties. Students can interpret and use data in tables and graphs to solve problems. They can use information in pictographs and tally charts to complete bar graphs.
Intermediate International Benchmark- 475
Students can apply basic mathematical knowledge in straightforward situations. Students at this level demonstrate an understanding of whole numbers and some understanding of fractions. Students can visualise three-dimensional shapes from two-dimensional representations. They can interpret bar graphs, pictographs, and tables to solve simple problems.
Low International Benchmark-400
Students have some basic mathematical knowledge. Students can add and subtract whole numbers. They have some recognition of parallel and perpendicular lines, familiar geometric shapes, and coordinate maps. They can read and complete simple bar graphs and tables.
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Grade 8 - Mathematics
Advanced International Benchmark- 625
Students can reason with information, draw conclusions, make generalisations, and solve linear equations. Students can solve a variety of fraction, proportion, and percent problems and justify their conclusions. Students can express generalisations algebraically and model situations. They can solve a variety of problems involving equations, formulas, and functions. Students can reason with geometric figures to solve problems. Students can reason with data from several sources or unfamiliar representations to solve multi-step problems.
High International Benchmark- 550
Students can apply their understanding and knowledge in a variety of relatively complex situations. Students can use information from several sources to solve problems involving different types of numbers and operations. Students can relate fractions, decimals, and per cents to each other. Students at this level show basic procedural knowledge related to algebraic expressions. They can use properties of lines, angles, triangles, rectangles, and rectangular prisms to solve problems. They can analyze data in a variety of graphs.
Intermediate International Benchmark- 475
Students can apply basic mathematical knowledge in a variety of situations. Students can solve problems involving decimals, fractions, proportions, and percentages. They understand simple algebraic relationships. Students can relate a two-dimensional drawing to a three-dimensional object. They can read, interpret, and construct graphs and tables. They recognize basic notions of likelihood.
Low International Benchmark-400
Students have some knowledge of whole numbers and decimals, operations, and basic graphs.
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High International Benchmark- 550
Students apply their knowledge and understanding of the sciences to explain phenomena in everyday and abstract contexts. Students demonstrate some understanding of plant and animal structure, life processes, life cycles, and reproduction. They also demonstrate some understanding of ecosystems and organisms' interactions with their environment, including understanding of human responses to outside conditions and activities. Students demonstrate understanding of some properties of matter, electricity and energy, and magnetic and gravitational forces and motion. They show some knowledge of the solar system, and of Earth’s physical characteristics, processes, and resources. Students demonstrate elementary knowledge and skills related to scientific inquiry. They compare, contrast, and make simple inferences, and provide brief descriptive responses combining knowledge of science concepts with information from both every day and abstract contexts.
Intermediate International Benchmark- 475
Students have basic knowledge and understanding of practical situations in the sciences. Students recognise some basic information related to characteristics of living things, their reproduction and life cycles, and their interactions with the environment, and show some understanding of human biology and health. They also show some knowledge of properties of matter and light, electricity and energy, and forces and motion. Students know some basic facts about the solar system and show an initial understanding of Earth’s physical characteristics and resources. They demonstrate ability to interpret information in pictorial diagrams and apply factual knowledge to practical situations.
Low International Benchmark-400
Students show some elementary knowledge of life, physical, and earth sciences. Students demonstrate knowledge of some simple facts related to human health, ecosystems, and the behavioral and physical characteristics of animals. They also demonstrate some basic knowledge of energy and the physical properties of matter. Students interpret simple diagrams, complete simple tables, and provide short written responses to questions requiring factual information.
Grade 4 - Science
Advanced International Benchmark- 625
Students apply knowledge and understanding of scientific processes and relationships and show some knowledge of the process of scientific inquiry. Students communicate their understanding of characteristics and life processes of organisms, reproduction and development, ecosystems and organisms' interactions with the environment, and factors relating to human health. They demonstrate understanding of properties of light and relationships among physical properties of materials, apply and communicate their understanding of electricity and energy in practical contexts, and demonstrate an understanding of magnetic and gravitational forces and motion. Students communicate their understanding of the solar system and of Earth’s structure, physical characteristics, resources, processes, cycles, and history. They have a beginning ability to interpret results in the context of a simple experiment, reason and draw conclusions from descriptions and diagrams, and evaluate and support an argument.
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Students recognize and apply their understanding of basic scientific knowledge in various contexts. Students apply knowledge and communicate an understanding of human health, life cycles, adaptation, and heredity, and analyse information about ecosystems. They have some knowledge of chemistry in everyday life and elementary knowledge of properties of solutions and the concept of concentration. They are acquainted with some aspects of force, motion, and energy. They demonstrate an understanding of Earth’s processes and physical features, including the water cycle and atmosphere. Students interpret information from tables, graphs, and pictorial diagrams and draw conclusions. They apply knowledge to practical situations and communicate their understanding through brief descriptive responses.
Low International Benchmark-400
Students can recognize some basic facts from the life and physical sciences. They have some knowledge of biology, and demonstrate some familiarity with physical phenomena. Students interpret simple pictorial diagrams, complete simple tables, and apply basic knowledge to practical situations.
Grade 8 - Science
Advanced International Benchmark- 625
Students communicate an understanding of complex and abstract concepts in biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science. Students demonstrate some conceptual knowledge about cells and the characteristics, classification, and life processes of organisms. They communicate an understanding of the complexity of ecosystems and adaptations of organisms, and apply an understanding of life cycles and heredity. Students also communicate an understanding of the structure of matter and physical and chemical properties and changes and apply knowledge of forces, pressure, motion, sound, and light. They reason about electrical circuits and properties of magnets. Students apply knowledge and communicate understanding of the solar system and Earth’s processes, structures, and physical features. They understand basic features of scientific investigation. They also combine information from several sources to solve problems and draw conclusions, and they provide written explanations to communicate scientific knowledge.
High International Benchmark- 550
Students demonstrate understanding of concepts related to science cycles, systems, and principles. They demonstrate understanding of aspects of human biology, and of the characteristics, classification, and life processes of organisms. Students communicate understanding of processes and relationships in ecosystems. They show an understanding of the classification and compositions of matter and chemical and physical properties and changes. They apply knowledge to situations related to light and sound and demonstrate basic knowledge of heat and temperature, forces and motion, and electrical circuits and magnets. Students demonstrate an understanding of the solar system and of Earth’s processes, physical features, and resources. They demonstrate some scientific inquiry skills. They also combine and interpret information from various types of diagrams, contour maps, graphs, and tables; select relevant information, analyse, and draw conclusions; and provide short explanations conveying scientific knowledge.
Intermediate International Benchmark- 475
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For more information about Dubai’s participation in TIMSS 2015,please check :
How to contact us:
If you have a concern or wish to comment on any aspect of this report you should contact:[email protected]
https://www.khda.gov.ae/en/publications
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Knowledge and Human Development Authority
P. O. Box: 500008, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 364 0000 Fax: +971 4 364 0001
www.khda.gov.ae
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